THE KNOWING WITHIN came together 3 years ago and hail from the sunny state of Florida where they are setting new boundaries and strength to the music scene.

I came into contact with the guys last year after hearing the bands last EP BELIEVE TO SEE and it was just a few listens that captivated me to look more into the band and eventually get a little interview done with the guys.

Fast forward to the start of 2018 and the guys have been hard at work on a new disc entitled CIRCUMSTANCES; when I say they were hard at work they tore the roof off when these tracks were set in stone and ready for the public. I am in love with the EP from start to finish.

"ERASE MY MISERY" is the bands first single and lyric video (which is down below) and while it shows a snippet of what the band brings it doesn’t really get into the real value of what these musicians have in their heart and soul and what is shown through the rest of the EP and the music they create. "ERASE MY MISERY" is a upbeat and melodic with some powerful aggressive vocals to make it a little more gritty and grinding. With all that going on they don’t let the high impact of energy settle throughout the song.

Although I like the song for me it doesn’t hold a candle to the next song up "NO DOGS ALLOWED "and from reading fans views of the record this is there favorite track also. I don’t know if it’s the structure of the lyrical content or how vocalist Tim Rardon delivers it all, or if it’s the meaning behind the words or if it’s the powerful and driving melodic music but this songs gets you amped up, gets you singing along and bobbing that head.

The interlude; "RESPITE" changes up the tone with a darker ambience that gears you into a more electronica soundscape; that settles you down for a few seconds so you can catch your breathe.

"PROLOGUE", a little instrumental ditty that seamlessly gets you ready for what is to come with CIRCUMSTANCES; I whole heartily love the drumming on this track…and the intertwinement of singing and aggressive backing vocals just makes the song a solid gut punching track.

"A FEELING PROFOUND" features AJ Bartholomew (from Eyes set to Kill) is probably my 2nd favorite off the EP. I feel this song encompasses all that is THE KNOWING WITHIN!! They have a little bit of everything in this song; brutal and aggressive, melody galore, electric attributes, its insane how you can listen to one song over and over and hear new things every time. A spectacular track in my opinion.

Lastly the band ends on a ballad note and shows off beauty; simple, raw elegance from the beginning then surprises you with a little drumming attribute to spice things up; but all in all you can really see emotion and passion in Rardon’s voice. I’m a sucker for a slower song and these guys pleased my heart on this one.

THE KNOWING WITHIN is still making the rounds in the Florida scene but with CIRCUMSTANCES I hope big things happen because the talent needs to be put on a larger scale in the music scene.

Thank you for taking the time to meet us, listen to our stuff, and then take time to make this questionnaire. It was a pleasure meeting you and I look forward to meeting again and hopefully get you stuck by our side as we continue our musical journey….to who the fuck knows. ☺ Cheers Steph

Just before Christmas a tour package came through my area; A KILLER’S CONFESSION and Awake at Last and a band called U R A TOY. The guys in a Killer’s Confession always like to give unsigned, local and indie talent a chance and on this tour that is what they put into play.

U R A TOY is a band from Ohio and well from the first look at the tour flyer I was already intrigued by the band because well, it’s a pretty bad ass name and can be taken in so many ways.

So, the night came and went and the set these musicians put on that night was pretty solid and professional. It’s hard to get a real feel on the songs when you never heard of the band before but with the interaction, energy and drive of the bands set the songs intrigued and moved me from the get go and from the looks and cheers from the crowd that night they won on a fairly decent amount in little ol’ Rhode Island. Fast forward to hearing the actually CD THE DIFFERENCE IS……., it has been playing non-stop in my car since I received it.

The one thing that drew me to this band was the honesty, but yet complex lyrical content throughout the disc. It’s a real, emotional and very versatile disc.

U R A TOY captures a rock essence, a hip-hop flair and metal undertones. You have songs that move you through words, you have head banging moments and you also get that shake your ass catching driving elements in some. Like I said the CD is a non-skip track kind of album and I am so excited to have seen them live and to have the CD in my possession now.

The guys are currently changing up some members (but still current is Donovan Black-vocals, Nick Hanefeld-guitar, vocals and Michael Holdren-lead guitar/vocals) since the tour that I saw them on, but are still working on new material and hoping to get a new CD out to the fans of the band before the end of 2018.

I was able to hop into the mind of vocalist and lyricist Donovan Black; getting a better understanding about the formation of U RA TOY, the meanings behind some of the songs off THE DIFFERENCE IS…, what the band members do other then music, what makes a good song and a whole lot more. Get ready for a pretty honest, humble and information overload chit chat with this little-known band from Ohio U R A TOY who will defiantly make a difference in your life on some sort of level.

IN 2013 YOU CAME INTO THE BAND WHAT WAS THE BAND DOING BACK THEN THAT YOU WERE DRAWN TOO?I was singing for a band called Weep the Beldam that I started with a childhood friend. Weep went from basically ’08-’13…. At Xmas break in ’12 the band was growing apart and we split up. New year’s ’13 I met with Ricky Smoot of Illumira (Cousin of Cory Smoot formerly of Gwar) and we hit it off. We agreed that I would replace their current front man. Our musical styles were similar and at the time I remember it seeming like the ONLY move to make. We are technically still “Illumira” to this day…in late 2015 after literally changing the entire lineup it was time to change the name.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE CAPTURED YOUR VISION GOING INTO 2018?Simply put..No. I’ve learned that to be a band is a TON of give and take. As much as I would LOVE to just make this MY vision, and as much faith as I have in MY vision..I realize that I have to allow the other guys in the band to “get their kicks” as well. With this band it’s effin tough…My number 2 Nick is a pop-punk guy, Lead guitarist Mike is a metalhead and Nirvana Disciple, and I am Hip Hop meets Tool and RATM. (Or so I hear.)…My vision is a little fucked and I’m shoving as much of it down their throats as I can get in there…

DESCRIBE TO PEOPLE WHO MAY BE NEW TO YOUR BAND WHAT YOU GUYS TRY TO INCORPORATE WHEN MAKING THE MUSIC YOU MAKE? Connections. I try to hide all kinds of Easter eggs and one-liners in my lyrics so that I can make people smile. When I listen to music, I picture myself as the main character in the song..we all do right? “This song is about me!” …Well that’s us. …I want your head bobbing and I want your ears perked up. I’m not Eminem by a long shot but growing up I would revel in having to replay or rewind a line twenty times in order to hear the whole meaning. Or listening to a song years later and FINALLY understanding the lyric on a new level. …Maybe I’m just trying to be crafty…Nick always says that he is there to “dumb it down” for the rest of the world. He is like my translator. I am Rain Man hahaha

IN THIS DAY AND AGE TO ME ITS IMPORTANT BANDS REALLY FOCUS ON PUTTING A POSITIVE WORD OUT TO THE WORLD. BEING A FRONT MAN AND SONGWRITER HOW DO YOU VIEW THE SOAP BOX YOU HAVE TO HELP SOMEONE? It’s the Holy Grail. I always wanted to be popular. To speak out and to be a Rockstar…. but I never REALLY knew why…I get the chance to rally the mourning. Strengthen the weak. Bring voice to the voiceless. People tell me their deepest darkest shit because of what we do. I relate. I meet strangers who make me cry all the time. Life can be fucking HORRIBLE. We are a Rust Belt band. A lot of the people that know us and support us are the forgotten and the freaky. And they are PROUD of it. Don’t get me wrong..we have fans that pretend to be “normal” too lol…but in a sense I think I’m trying to carry on with the way bands made me feel. My Gods that gave me FIGHT MUSIC when I needed it. Korn, Slipknot, Slim Shady, DMX. …People with real problems who understood the soap box. Sometimes I don’t have shit to say…but I came to preach. Don’t worship your idols…fucking become the heir to the throne ya know? Ugly doesn’t matter. Smart doesn’t matter. Clever doesn’t matter. Treat people with respect and watch the love pour in.

TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SONGS AND HOW YOU CREATED YOUR CD THE DIFFERENCE IS…..This album started in 2009 with Weep the Beldam… Songs like WHO KNEW and FAUX AMIS were remnants of that era. Songs like A NEW WORLD and GRAPE DRINK came together as Illumira. Basically, every couple years someone has a life change or decides that they actually HATE touring and it seemed like right when we would get it together…POOF….so these songs are a collection of what could have been. The Difference itself, the song, is about what separated myself from any of the former members. And ANY true band members from the fools that they are always replacing for that matter. MINE as a song was originally the album title…I was feeling very bitter coming into this band. Illumira and the members of that era had a lot of bad blood…like we created a musical Civil War in Toledo; TWICE with that band. First when I took over as the vocalist, and secondly when everyone besides myself and Keef left the band…Illumira was a pretty big deal in Toledo…and I personally earned INFAMY status because of it. THE DIFFERENCE IS… was intended to heal those wounds and pay the proper respects to everyone involved in those songs. I consider it sort of a defiant Middle Finger as a tomb stone.

SEEMS IN YOUR LINEAR NOTES DIFFERENT BANDS FROM THE PAST OF YOUR BAND MEMBERS WERE NOTED. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT? I’ve sort of painted this picture as we have moved along. Each of those bands were supposed to make it with me. I have not made it yet and don’t know if I ever will. But people in bands will get this…I said I was going to get there…and goddammit…I’m still trying.

IN ONE SENTENCED FOR EACH BAND MEMBER TELL ME WHAT THEY BRING TO THE TABLE TO MAKE URATOY COME TO LIFE?Michael Holdren brings intensity to the stage..and he knows it. Nick brings the nerd-tech to the band with his knowledge of sound and equipment. Nick also brings an “realistic” point of view which can work to infuriate/stabilize the band..depending. Freemason Keef brings a level head and straight-up utility skills. Keef was the first drummer of Illumira and stepped in to record drums on “THE DIFFERENCE IS…” He also runs our merch at shows and is my right-hand man on the road. Donovan Black brings the show together. I take care of the media, the imagery, the booking, the merchandise, the management, blah blah blah…but to the outside view…Donovan Black just knows how to talk.

YOU WENT TO FLORIDA TO RECORD THE ALBUM AND WORK WITH PRODUCER ALEX VINCENT! HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT AND WHY DID YOU WANT TO WORK WITH HIM AND HOW HANDS ON IS THE BAND WHEN IT COMES TO STUDIO TIME? I’ve been terrified of Chucky and the Child’s Play franchise since my older brother would torment me with a My Buddy Doll…so…when a buddy of ours, Mung Parker said he knew Alex and could line it up we just went for it. I think we were one of the first Metal/Rock projects that Alex worked with so it was honestly a really exciting time for all of us. We would hit the studio HARD all day and then sit on the beach or around a BBQ all night. During that time (2 weeks) The Difference, Mine, and Judith Preach were completed and recorded. We flourish when we have something big to do..and at that point in life..this was HUGE…YOU ARE A TOY is VERY hands on..We are control freaks and have been known to micromanage the production process. Bouncing ideas back and forth between Tampa FL and Toledo OH was hell!

IF YOU HAD TO SINGLE OUT ONE SONG ON THE ALBUM THAT YOU THINK IS A PERSONAL FAVORITE, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE AND WHY? ALSO, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU SINGLE OUT WHEN IT COMES TO DO IT LIVE?THE DIFFERENCE is fun. Its mean and its catchy. It was EXACTLY what we were going for when we all got together and created this band. The song WHO KNEW? Is very personal to me. I like a lot of musicians lost my mama at a young age and because of that…I am THIS. It was a blessing and a curse. It’s been like 15 years and when I recorded that song..in the middle I just started talking and what came out came out. I honestly do not listen to the album very often because when we play live they are WAY more fun…but those 2 are important. A NEW WORLD was meant to be the “hit single” off Illumira’s album and I tend to think that it is one of the more underrated tunes on there.

MY FAVORITE OFF THE ALBUM HAS TO BE MINE. ANY FUNNY STORIES OF THE MAKING OF THAT SONG AND OR IMPORTANT FACTORS ABOUT IT YOU WANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW?I was PISSED at former members of the band. As much as anyone contributed to ALL of these songs. It’s kind of different to be the only common link in all of them. So, we have to assume that either I’m a giant dick-head with an EGO who can’t seem to keep the drama out of the band…. or we have to admit that sometimes we just don’t work hard enough…and when we give in to doubt…we have to own our failures. …. This song is me being a smart-ass. I feel humble in life. I’m thankful for the help I’ve received…. but I’m also thankful for myself never giving in. ..All the good and the bad…pain and success…It’s all MINE. …Plus that song reminds me of Rocky and makes me want to hit the gym..let’s be honest.

I RECENTLY SAW YOU GUYS ON TOUR WITH A KILLER’S CONFESSION. YOU GUYS ARE NOT NEW TO TOURING BUT HOW DID THIS TOUR VARY FROM OTHERS YOU HAVE DONE AND WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE TOUR?This tour was the most REAL we have ever felt. I’m personally a big fan of Waylon and what he has done. I respect his attitude. He treats people fairly. The whole band came through with EVERYTHING they said they would. My favorite parts of the tour were all the behind the scenes dish and information that comes with working with Waylon Revis. Each day was like school. Whether he was waking me up for dinner or coaching me through stage presence…I don’t even think those guys knew we came out to learn like we did. This past tour with AKC was a game changer. It made it REAL.

YOU GUYS SEEM TO HAVE A VERY VARIED AMOUNT OF MERCH WHICH IS VERY COOL, DO YOU GUYS FEEL THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR A BAND TO HAVE AND IS THERE ANYTHING NEW COMING OUT ANYTIME SOON FOR THE FANS? Merch = Food = Gas = Survival. Seems simple right? I have a business mind and background and I believe that it’s vital to sell something to almost every person at the show. I believe I can find something you like in your price range. I don’t want to have corny shit on the table, but if our merch table isn’t the coolest looking one in the building; I’m a little bummed out. ☺ For 2018 we have some badass MMM (Midwest Metal Mafia) Team Hoodies out now. True Funfact..via Thom Hazaert of EMP Label Group…The Only two bands that are members of the MMM are: YOU ARE A TOY, and Megadeth….yes that Megadeth. www.merchlive.com/youareatoy We also have some custom Donovan Black bandanas coming this year..updated style since I gave all of mine away this past tour lol. Candles, incense have been options on my mind. Nick is a lifter so we need to get to Gym Merch or water bottles for his peeps…among other journalists I know.. ☺

HAVE YOU WORKED ON ANY NEW MUSIC AS OF LATE AND IF SO HOW HAVE YOU GUYS GROWN FROM THE DIFFERENCE IS……. New Music is coming. We have been working on new songs for the past few months and are hitting rehearsals extremely hard. The goal is to be in the studio this summer recording the next album. I feel like with the 3 songs written specifically for that album, (MINE, DIFFERENCE, JUDITH PREACH) we have a good start towards a musical direction. We have a new song called THE TEMPLE that I’m stoked about. We are going mean. That’s all I can say. These new songs are pissed.

YOU DID A VIDEO FOR YOUR SONG THE DIFFERENCE WHICH SHOWS YOUR PERSONALITIES AND THE PASSION FOR YOU HAVE FOR THE STAGE. WHEN DID YOU RELEASE THAT AND DO YOU GUYS DO A LOT OF DIY FOR THE BAND AND HOW DO YOU LIKE BEING IN CHARGE OF YOUR FUTURE WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM CORPORATE BS? It’s ALL DIY for us. We hire help when we can’t figure something out…but these days no one is handing out giant record deals like 15 years ago. It just rarely happens. We would LOVE just a little more help from corporate in the terms of some help getting exposure. But we have figured out that unless you have an extra $50K…it’s just not in the cards….Music as a corporation is fucking garbage these days. Pay to play on the radio. I’m not knocking every artist out there. They ate their shit and paid their dues, make no mistake…but most of that shit has no place on the radio let alone the Grammys. The cool thing is…It’s ALL Ours…. the bad news is…. there isn’t much there yet. …Being your own boss is the shit! until payday ☹

STAGE WEAR WHATS YOUR FAVORITE TO WEAR AND ADVICE FOR BANDS TO BE COMFY ONSTAGE?Look the part…your drummer might insist that nobody cares and that its ok to stand out like Eddie Vedder…it’s not. Look like a team…teams wear uniforms or jerseys…look similar…look the part. Personally, I like to rock a bright red bandana on my face so that people notice me stalking around the venue. I’m a big guy, 6’2” 200…so looking imposing and not acting imposing is how I sell myself as the “Savior” each night. Watch videos of yourself…critique that shit. Practice your moves in a mirror. I sing into more hair brushes than microphones.

IN YOUR MIND WHAT MAKES A GOOD SONG?Usually a One Liner that makes it personal. Followed by something to bob my head to. It should feel like a train. All good songs are linked to a memory. It reminds us of some place or some time that was “just so.”

IF YOU COULD SINGLE OUT ONE SONG (ANOTHER ARTIST) FROM YOUR PAST THAT YOU INSPIRED TO BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT IT WAS A WELL WRITTEN SONG WHAT WAS IT AND DO YOU FEEL THE SAME NOW WHEN YOU HEAR IT?Tool has an EP called Opiate. On it there is a song called Hush…that was the start of my outlook on people as an artist, full circle; A Perfect Circle has a song called Pet. …Those songs make me feel like a god. Like I can direct the opera and conduct the chorus. Like it’s ok to whisper..” I’m better than you because you are a fuck.” To this day.

OTHER THEN MUSIC WHAT DOES YOUR BAND MEMBERS LOVE TO DO?Nick is ALWAYS out somewhere at a show or a concert or a party or something. ALWAYS. Mike loves Hockey. He will also fuck you up on some Xbox…doesn’t matter the game. I love chilling with my kids and my wifey, I love aquariums and fish (The sea in general) and building some model cars. I’m a nerd.

LASTLY THE BAND NAME CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WHEN I SAW IT ON THE FLYER THE NIGHT I SAW YOU. WHO CAME UP WITH THE NAME AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU GUYS AND WHAT DO YOU WANT FANS TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE NAME AND THE BANDS VISION?Band names are tough. The previous two bands I was in we would get pronounced wrongly, or misspelled….I wanted something that would be easier to remember…With txt and emoji culture the ability to use URATOY as well as YOU ARE A TOY hit me right away. …It’s so fun when people ask the band name because when you look them in the eyes and say it….they ALWAYS feel insulted for a split second…It makes us friends when they get the joke….Some people take the name sexually, which is fine, some people see the play off of the popular Pixar Movie with Buzz and Woody…which is fine….Its open to interpretation…but for the TRUE fans. The people that really see the hidden “Easter eggs” and subliminal meanings…our conspiracy theorists if you will….The logo of URATOY can be flipped upside down so that the second half reads: URA GOD….thats my DaVinci touch. Our stage boxes tell us URAGOD when we stand on them…I want people to feel like that..Nothing against your religion or faith…but spend less time asking for change and spend more time making it..I’m nothing special..but I certainly can convince myself otherwise..So can you…If you don’t get it…then..YOU ARE A TOY haha

IF URATOY ENDED TOMORROW WHAT WOULD YOU WANT YOUR VIRTUAL TOMBSTONE TO SAY ON IT?“Fuck”

ANYTHING YOU WANT TO LET FANS OR PEOPLE GETTING TO KNOW YOU THROUGH THIS INTERVIEW KNOW?We need people to believe in us or we will go nowhere fast. Please check us out.We are on Spotify, Google Music, iTunes, Youtube,

FACEBOOK @YOUAREATOY,TWITTER @YOUAREATOY_BAND,INSTAGRAM @URATOY_BANDwe have merch available as well as our album “THE DIFFERENCE IS…” online at www.merchlive.com/youareatoy

“come play with me” the this or that game!!JELLO OR PUDDING? Jello preferably blue..flavor doesn’t matter with jello right? It’s JELL-O! lolEAT IN OR DINE OUT?I love take out lol…I hate getting bad service at a restaurant..I used to be a server and I felt I did a good job. I get pissy when my soda is empty..so it’s best to keep me confined to Yelp for bitching.CAKE OR PIE?Mmmm cherry pieWRESTLING OR MIXED MARTIAL ARTS?Watching WWF and WCW wrestling..I always wanted to be Roddy Piper and talk shit on the MIC. MMA is fun to watch though…hats off to those crazy asses.TROPICAL VACATION OR ARTIC VACATION?Keep it tropical baby.CALL OR TEXT?I believe the band would collectively agree on SEXTVAN DRIVING OR VAN SLEEPING?I’m the night shift driver sleep is tough to come by during the day with a van full of dudes.SHORTS OR PANTS?As little clothing as possible is always a win. Got to wear them black slacks onstage these days but right after them shits are turning to Nike mesh shorts

Earlier in 2017 I had the pleasure of being introduced to the band YEAR OF THE LOCUST from NY. A band that brings a real rock n roll element back into the rock scene. It only took a year for me to see them live but I was able to catch up and see the bands set when they jumped on a major tour with Starset to kick off the 2018 touring season.

At first, I was a little skeptical because a band like Starset is a little different vibe then what the boys in the LOCUST bring but I know a lot of Starset fans who have open minds so I was thrilled to see how the audience took to them. Well it didn’t take long for the guys to create a buzz that night in Worcester, MA. For one these guys are not afraid of anything they believe in their talent, they believe in the music they have created and they can bring it all to a stage of any size.

The bands set was a short one but they played a lot of energy driven songs of the bands debut album DEVOLVER like RISE UP, BROKEN NOW and MOVIN ON and then graced the audience with a brand new upbeat and driving song called SUNRISE, which really is the song I think that sold the band to the added fans they gained that night. For anyone that doesn’t know about this and it’s a must you see them because no only do they have a very interactive live show, they are the most down to earth and easy-going bunch of dudes around.

I feel very honored I got to see them in a live atmosphere and this live show they put on made me fall more in love with the songs I have been listening to for a year now. With that I am very excited to see the guys gain momentum and hopefully do a headline run in 2018 so we can admire these talents for a longer set and see a show on the bands own terms instead of opening up for others.

I was able to capture some snippets of the bands set that night and also was able to snag the bands newest single and video for SUNRISE so check both out, pick up a disc and see these guys live well worth the money.